CLASSIC, SEXY, EFFORTLESS

Valerie walked down the aisle of St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA looking exactly as she had envisioned herself when she married her heart, Matthew Timko on August 13, 2016. Valerie had a vision for herself and for her gown for her wedding day, and on her special day that vision came to life.

When visiting the Pnina Tornai Boutique at Kleinfeld Bridal some people bring family, some bring friends, and some bring an entire entourage. Valerie, however, ventured into the boutique on a whim one day while passing the salon. As a former Miss Pennsylvania, Valerie knew what looked good on her from her pageant days, and since her family had been gown shopping with her previously, she felt no one was cheated out of seeing her try on different wedding dresses. Comfortable going gown shopping by herself, Valerie ventured into the boutique to see if she could find her ideal wedding dress.

Wanting the focus on her face and silhouette, Valerie was searching for a classically sexy gown that highlighted her natural features. Since she had tried on gowns previously, Valerie knew that for her it was the simpler the better. The must-haves for her gown included minimal lace, an open back, a fantastic fit, and a cathedral length train.

With a simple yet seductive gown in mind, it came as no surprise that Valerie naturally gravitated towards the Pnina Tornai gowns. Known for her elegantly sexy designs, she would prove to be the ideal designer for this bride-to-be.

“I wanted my wedding dress to represent exactly who I was,” Valerie explains, “No one else really made that sweet, sexy silhouette but I knew that she (Pnina Tornai) did!”

After trying on only two gowns, Valerie fell head over heels for a chic satin sheath gown with a floral lace detailed V-neckline, floral straps, an open back and a cathedral length train. The gown fit Valerie like a glove, hugging her in all the right places like no other gown could. Valerie was ecstatic to have finally found a dress that accentuated her curves, highlighted her face, and made her feel like the ideal version of herself.

“I think you should you should be you on your wedding day and that dress definitely felt like me,” Valerie reminisces.

To keep her look effortlessly chic, Valerie decided to wear her hair in loose waves; sticking to the style that best suited her personal style. Valerie also opted to keep the jewelry to a minimum and did not want to distract from the delicate lace detailing on her gown and the seductive silhouette. Lastly, Valerie wore a cathedral length veil, which provided the perfect amount of glamour and coverage for her open back during the church ceremony, even though this was not a worry for the confident bride.

For former pageant winner Valerie, this gown was different than any other gown that she had worn. Constantly listening to other people's advice and suggestions for her pageant gowns, it meant the world to her that this dress was one that she chose for herself. This sensual and feminine gown was everything that Valerie had dreamed of and more and she couldn't have been happier with her decision.

“I felt gorgeous, sexy, like myself, like a bride! Like a classic sexy bride,” exclaims Valerie. Later Valerie expresses, “I hope everyone can feel how I felt on my wedding day – it was the happiest day of my life.”

As Valerie wed the love of her life, her soft and demure sheath gown did exactly what she had envisioned her dream dress would: highlight the continuously beaming smile on her face.